Supporters of Bayonne’s vacancy decontrol law claimed victory last night, although with 98 percent of machine ballots counted, only 415 votes separated the two sides.

“The people have spoken,” said City Council President Terrence Ruane, a supporter of the city’s vacancy decontrol law adopted in November 2011.

The law allows landlords to apply to have units removed from rent control guidelines if a tenant willingly moves or is legally evicted. A group of pro-rent control activists tirelessly campaigned to get yesterday’s initiative, which would have overturned the vacancy decontrol law, on the ballot.

“(The City Council) labored long and hard on this issue and we’re confident this was the right decision for Bayonne. We’re happy that the people put their seal of approval on this issue.”

With 12,721 of the machine votes tallied, 6,568 votes had been cast to keep the vacancy decontrol law and 6,153 votes had been cast in favor of overturning it.

The vote will not be certified until provisional and vote-by-mail ballots are counted later this month.

Ed Gilligan, the interim chairman of the Bayonne Tenants Organization, said he was proud of the activists’ “efforts” and they “look forward to working with the mayor and City Council on improving conditions for tenants.”